The Church Pastoral Aid Society

CPAS is a leading Anglican home mission agency. We highly value and appreciate our Royal Patronage and are thrilled that we will be present on The Mall for Her Royal Highness’ 90th Birthday celebrations, which coincide with our own 180th Anniversary year.

Since being founded in 1836 by prominent individuals including the pioneering social reformer, Lord Shaftesbury, CPAS’ activities have changed with the times, but our original mission – enabling parish churches across the UK in their work sharing the good news of Jesus with every man, woman and child – is still the driving force behind all we do. Our current work fulfils this mission through high-quality leadership development training events, conferences and resources, the recruitment and placement of leaders in our 525 patronage churches, and through our popular young people’s holidays for over 4,000 children and young people. A dedicated bursary programme provides low-cost holidays for disadvantaged children and young people around the country.

After the trauma of the 2nd World War and the 1940 London Blitz which destroyed the CPAS Falcon Court offices, the then Queen Elizabeth wrote in 1945 to congratulate CPAS for its camps and to urge them to keep up the good work, something which we are proud to continue to do to this very day.

Our publications have included favourites such as the 1960s Journey Into Life (still in use today), and staff seconded from CPAS helped Billy Graham with his Mission England crusade in 1984. For more than 50 years we’ve run You and Ministry weekends for those exploring a call to leadership and we’ve also delivered the world-renowned Arrow Leadership Programme in the UK since 1999.

For more information, visit www.cpas.org.uk